A Time of Exile - Katharine Kerr [52]
“And what does my honored councillor advise?” Halaberiel said.
For privacy Aderyn rose, bowed to the prince, and led Halaberiel outside to the hall.
“I think we should take it, Hal. It’s the best we’re going to get, and Nananna will work on keeping down resentment. You’re not truly the kind of prince who has to worry about rebellions, and Addryc is.”
“Poor old Addryc. Well, we’ve saved the death-ground, and truly, that was first in my mind. I don’t trust these Bears, though. How long will it be before they push their greedy snouts northward? That young cub needs to be turned over someone’s knee and spanked.”
“Well, you’re right enough, but if you turn down the judgment, then it’s war. Melaudd can rally the prince’s other vassals against you because you’ve refused the prince’s judgment.”
“Indeed?” Halaberiel considered for a moment. “Well, let me see if I can wring one more concession out of his harried highness.”
They returned to the dead-silent room. Halaberiel bowed, then stayed standing to address his royal counterpart.
“Your Highness, your judgment seems fair to me, except for one small point. Will you guarantee me and my people access to the northern lands from the south? The best ford lies in the land you would give the Bears.”
“I see no reason why you can’t have road rights. The road should be a public one, anyway, so the merchants can use it.”
When Dovyn started to speak, his father laid a warning hand on his arm.
“That seems only just, Your Highness,” Melaudd said. “If the prince will guarantee the good conduct of his people as they pass through. I know they travel with sheep and horses, and farmers can’t afford the loss if stock wanders off into their fields.”
“We shall make a formal pact,” Halaberiel said. “Any trampled grain shall be paid for in mutton and wool.”
Pleased, Melaudd nodded; the prince smiled; the councillors gave Aderyn small nods of satisfaction that reason had prevailed.
“And what about when your people steal mine blind?” Dovyn snapped.
Every seated man in the room rose. The priest of Bel stepped forward, watchful to prevent bloodshed. Halaberiel shook off Aderyn’s restraining hand and strode over to face Dovyn.
“Just what are you calling me?”
“Everyone knows the Westfolk are a pack of thieves. Why shouldn’t you be a prince of thieves?”
With a startled gasp, Melaudd threw himself forward, but too late. Halaberiel slapped Dovyn backhanded across the face so hard that the lad staggered back. Halaberiel turned to the prince in appeal.
“So this is the kind of court you keep in Eldidd,” Halaberiel said. “Where a man who puts himself under your judgment must listen to insults and lies.”
“Naught of the sort,” Addryc said levelly. “Lord Dovyn will tender you a formal apology. I trust his father agrees with me on this.”
“His father does indeed, Your Highness.” Melaudd’s voice shook. “And I’ll tender my own apology first and freely.”
Everyone was watching the two princes, suddenly united against this presumption of a lesser lord. Aderyn felt a cold dweomer touch and turned to see Dovyn sliding his sword free of its sheath.
“Don’t!” Aderyn yelled. “Hal, watch out!”
Halaberiel spun around just as Dovyn drew and swung. Aderyn threw himself forward and took a blow on his left hand—mercifully only a glancing one as Dovyn tried to hold up, or he would have been known as Aderyn One-hand forever after. He heard the crack of breaking bone and stared numbly at a surge of blood as the room exploded—yelling, swearing, scuffling among the onlookers, the princes shouting for order, the priest invoking Bel’s name. Melaudd made a frantic grab at his son, pinned him from behind, and shook him so hard that Dovyn dropped the sword. Halaberiel caught Aderyn’s shoulder, steadied him, and swore at the sight of the wound. The priest of Bel ran forward and grabbed Aderyn’s arm just as the door flew open and the prince’s guard shoved their way in. His face purple with rage, Addryc waved them back, but they stood ready out in the corridor.
“So, Melaudd,” Addryc